Risen from the Dead: S&W 19-4 Combat Magnum 2.5″

I just got this back from Robar and put my initial 50 rounds through it. The inspiration for this project was that I purchased a retired service revolver from my agency, a S&W 19-5 2.5″. I absolutely fell in love with it and rediscovered why it was such a mistake for me to let go of my last revolver, a 4″ 19-4. I really had a hankering for a 2.5-3″ Model 19 roundbutt, but I should’ve just kept the 4″ 19.

Anyways, I figured I can’t shoot my ex-department gun a whole lot because (in my eyes) it’s a historical piece in near perfect shape and there’s only a few hundred out there….and I have a lot of 38 to put through a gun, and can get more from work; so that’s a perfect justification to buy another shooter-grade Combat Magnum.

I picked this up from a cop shop in Long Island last year. I’m pretty sure it was left on some cop’s boat in Montauk for 20 years. I figured I could get a gunsmith special and build it out to my preferences, instead of shooting up/demolishing a good condition 2.5″ Combat Magnum.

At the same time, I’d be rescuing from the dead a gunsmith special. Given 2.5″ Combat Magnums are becoming more and more expensive, this seemed like a good idea. This model was a high-polish nickel finish, completely corroded.

I sent it off to Robar for CPR and cardioversion. They had to replace a lot of the lockwork and get it back in timing, as well as hours of bead blasting.

I wanted a brand new sight setup, so I had them lop off the original sight ramp and install Bowen Rough-Country DX sights (at the recommendation of P-F.com hive) with a red fiber optic insert.

The pitting was deep enough that they weren’t sure if they could properly apply NP3 without defects, so we settled on matte black Roguard as a backup.

It turns out they could apply the NP3 in the end, so we went with that. You can see all the imperfections from surface damage, but I wanted NP3 regardless because 1) I wanted a matte/satin stainless/HC/gunmetal gray sort of finish for aesthetics, and 2) I wanted something that would give this gun the best chance at living out its life as a range beater.

The wife demands I put wooden grips on it. Easiest excuse to drop money on Karl Nills that I’ve ever heard, so I’ll put that order in tonight. Otherwise, I present to you:

Suffice it to say, Mister Smith made our day: ROBAR meticulously restores and renews the firearms entrusted to us and our hope is to exceed what you have imagined for your weapon.

This story is another win-win…Mr. Smith has a beaut of a revolver and ROBAR’s work and reputation is justified!

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Weapon Shipping

For all firearm customizations, please ship your firearms to:

The Robar Companies, Inc.

21438 N. 7th Ave, Suite BPhoenix, AZ85027

When sending us your firearms for metal finish or custom gun work, we prefer you to send the complete firearm including the magazine. We are unable to test for functionality without the complete firearm and magazine. If we do not receive the complete firearm with a magazine, we cannot properly function check the firearm. This could result in a limited warranty.
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